Share your love of kayaking with others by becoming an American Canoe Association certified instructor. Upon successful completion of the course, instructor candidates can receive kayak instructor certification through the ACA. Registration fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Share your love of kayaking with others by becoming an American Canoe Association (ACA) certified instructor. This workshop follows standards established by the ACA and is designed for individuals and programmers interested in offering certified kayaking classes. The first day is designed as an Introduction to Kayaking class and will focus on practicing paddling strokes, braces and rescues. On day two, participants will start off in the classroom reviewing instructor teaching topics and will spend the afternoon outside. On day three, experienced trainers will evaluate each candidate's paddling skills, knowledge and teaching abilities. Candidates will teach a minimum of two subjects both in the classroom as well as on the water and will receive a critique of their on-and-off-water teaching and paddling skills. Upon successful completion of the workshop, participants can receive kayak instructor certification through the American Canoe Association. Level 1-2 Essentials of Stand Up Paddleboarding Instructor Certification Workshop will be occurring simultaneously. Please bring a completed waiverand please review the participant equipment list.

Registration opens February 15. After May 1: $325.00. Registration deadline: May 24.
General Information:

By registering, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the refund policy.

With our professionally trained staff and ability to make equipment adaptations, most programs are accessible to anyone who would like to participate assuming they meet the essential eligibility criteria. Please make a request at the time of registration but no later than 5 business days prior to the program. Contact us at or@clevelandmetroparks.com or 216-341-1704.

General Essential Eligibility Requirements that all participants must meet. A participant….

…must meet minimum age and pre-trip meeting requirements for each individual program.

…must meet program fee requirements for each individual program.

…must be able to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed in order to avoid environmental injuries such as hypothermia, heat-related illnesses, sunburn, and frostbite.

…must refrain from use of alcohol and tobacco before or during outdoor recreation activities and any illegal drugs throughout the duration of a program.

…must be able, either alone or with the aid of a personal care attendant, to manage, administer and protect any prescription medications currently prescribed to him or her. All medications, including over-the-counter medications shall be declared in medical history section of the registration form.

…must be able, either alone, with the aid of an augmentative communication device, or a personal care attendant to follow directions and communicate needs.

…must be able to manage personal mobility either alone, with a reasonable amount of assistance, with the aid of a personal care attendant, or with adaptive equipment.

…must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly.

…must be able, in the event of an unexpected capsize, to breathe independently and maintain a seal with their mouth (i.e. not require medical devices to sustain breathing), and independently demonstrate the ability to self-right him or herself from face down to face up position while wearing the appropriate PFD.

…must be able to independently hold their head and neck upright (without restraints), in order to maintain proper body positioning, avoid an unexpected capsize, and freely exit watercraft.

…must be able to reenter the watercraft in deep water independently or with a reasonable amount of assistance.

…must be able to independently wear and maintain wearing all safety equipment correctly including but not limited to PFD (Personal Flotation Device).

…must be able to, for extended trips only, travel in a physically demanding, remote backcountry environment for the uninterrupted period of the trip length, which can range from one to ten days with varying temperatures and environmental conditions including but not limited to, rain snow, hail, sun, and wind. The remoteness is such that cell signal may be unavailable, and it may require at minimum an hour, but perhaps in excess of 2 days travel to reach the nearest road and advanced medical care; participant assumes all costs associated with rescue.

All boating programs are funded in part through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft.

Cleveland Metroparks staff can adapt many programs to be accessible to anyone who would
like to participate assuming they meet the essential eligibility criteria. Reasonable
accommodation can also be made. Please make a request at the time of registration but
no later than 72 business hours prior to the program. Contact us at
216.341.704 or
or@clevelandmetroparks.com
or at these telephone numbers.